Women's Switchback IV Jacket vs Women's Packable Rainfoil Jacket: which is safer?
Columbia Women's Switchback IV Jacket is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Our pick
Columbia
Women's Switchback IV Jacket
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
Possiblewater-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating chemistry - undisclosed
PossibleThermal degradation of synthetic fibers and finish during wear or care
Eddie Bauer
Women's Packable Rainfoil Jacket
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossiblePFAS in water-repellent coating (fluorinated compounds)
Reportedwater-repellent coating degradation and shedding
PossibleNylon microfiber shedding from abrasion
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Durable water-repellent (DWR) coating chemistry - undisclosed and Thermal degradation of synthetic fibers and finish during wear or care on the Columbia and not on the Eddie Bauer.
- We flag PFAS in DWR coating (fluorinated compounds), DWR coating degradation and shedding and Nylon microfiber shedding from abrasion on the Eddie Bauer and not on the Columbia.
- The Columbia is Nylon/polyester with DWR durable water-repellent finish where the Eddie Bauer is Nylon with DWR water-resistant coating, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
- These two are level, close enough that price and fit should decide it rather than our grade.
Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
More rain jackets: see the full ranking